YearToAvoid

2020 Lexus RX Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#6 most-complained of 16 RX years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2020 Lexus RX has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Airbags account for 46% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 46,000 for that category, alongside 1 recall.

Complaints
46
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
6 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
29.5
30 city / 28 hwy

Top 2020 Lexus RX problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags21 (46%)
  2. Other8 (17%)
  3. Electrical System5 (11%)
  4. Engine5 (11%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (11%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (9%)
  7. Fuel System2 (4%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (4%)
  9. Brakes1 (2%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report airbags failing to deploy during rear-end and multi-car chain-reaction crashes.
  • Some describe unintended forward acceleration at low speed while parking or coasting into a garage, leading to collisions.
  • Electrical system complaints include sudden hybrid malfunctions, warning messages, and a burning smell that led to towing.
  • The collision avoidance system reportedly applies emergency braking at highway speed with no vehicle or obstacle nearby.
  • Suspension and tire complaints describe premature tire deterioration on original-equipment Michelin tires with risk of rupture.
  • One report describes a sunroof spontaneously shattering while driving on the interstate.
2020 Lexus RX complaints: complaints filed per month4Aug 2021Jun 2022Dec 2023Oct 2024Apr 2025Aug 2025Apr 2026Sep 2026
54 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2024 (4).

2020 Lexus RX recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V865000Dec 20, 2023Airbags999,901 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.

    Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

2020 Lexus RX fuel economy and fuel cost

City
30 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
29.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other RX years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Good3325029.5
2019Good4734129.5
2020Caution6746129.5
2021Avoid8769129.5
2022Caution7329029.5

All Lexus RX years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Lexus RX reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2020 RX a complaint index of 67, ranking it 6th worst among 16 model years, which earns a Caution verdict relative to other RX years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Lexus RX?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 46% of complaints (21 of 46), with a median failure mileage of 46,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Lexus RX have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall (23V865000) covering an airbag sensor issue shared with several other 2020-2021 Toyota and Lexus models; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2020 RX compare to other RX years?
The 2020 RX's complaint index of 67 is worse than years like 2016 (13) and 2018 (33), but better than 2024 (100) and 2023 (93), which carry Avoid verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Lexus RX?
EPA rates the 2020 RX at 29.5 mpg combined (30 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.